The Liberties Walk space left empty last month when Sonata pulled out didn’t stay vacant for very long. Baan Thai filled in that void over the weekend when it quietly made its debut. The new spot, which is obviously Thai, is owned by Samantha Marsh, who bought the business from Sonata owner Mark Tropea. And just as quickly as it opened, it’s already spurred something of a Thai rivalry with Circles Thai’s branch nearby on Second Street. On the NorthernLiberties.org message board, where the opening was announced, several folks have chimed in with some promising early reports on Baan Thai’s output.
Those first to assess the menu reported back with “Yum!!! Two thumbs,” and “food was delicious and the portions were very generous.”
But a rivalry was brewing even before the restaurant opened. The second comment on the message board’s thread about Baan Thai said in August:
Can’t wait to try it! Especially considering that Circles seems to be closed every time I want to order from there.
After opening, someone else added:
my wife prefers baan thai over circles, although i actually give the edge to circles as far as food quality goes… that said, baan thai is very good, a little bit cheaper, and is closer to us than circles so it is likely to become our default thai place.
Does this have the potential to blow up into a Pat’s vs. Geno’s -sized beef? Possibly. But we need to hear more from the Circles supporters to say for sure.
Baan Thai, 1030 North American Street, (215) 238-1219
Baan Thai Opens in Northern Liberties [Foobooz]
